Divorced woman with child travels through time

Upon arriving at the gates of the Ouyang residence, two heavy, towering mahogany doors, each over three meters tall, stood before them. The doors were undecorated, simple yet imposing. Beside each doorway crouched a stone lion, one about half a person's height, one treading on a ball, the other holding a ball in its mouth. Influenced by her past life's internet experience, Chen Wenfang really wanted her son to reach for the ball in the lion's mouth. She'd heard that children could snatch the ball when the stone lion wasn't looking, but she wondered if it was true...

A gatekeeper was sitting nearby, lost in thought. Upon seeing Wangcai, he immediately greeted him with a smile and opened the door. Wangcai led Chen Wenfang and her son inside. Inside the gate was an elegant white jade screen, exquisitely engraved with a landscape painting. Beyond the screen was a large courtyard with flowing water, artificial hills, and beautiful trees—a truly pleasant scene, reminiscent of the beauty of Jiangsu gardens.

Following the covered walkway to the main room, Ouyang Jin was chatting and laughing with a beautiful young woman. Three maids stood beside him; the beautiful young woman was presumably his mother.

Wangcai stepped forward and announced, "Young Master, Madam, Madam Chen has arrived."

Ouyang Jin looked up and spoke to Madam Ouyang. The beautiful young woman smiled and waved, inviting Chen Wenfang and her daughter over.

Only when she got closer did Chen Wenfang realize how well the wealthy people of ancient times were raised. She wore a moon-white ruyi (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with silver thread embroidered with magnolias, her hair styled in a flowing cloud bun, adorned with two open white magnolia hairpins, making her look like a fairy. She possessed the demeanor of a young girl yet had the charm of a mature woman.

Madam Ouyang had flawless skin, without a single pore. Given that Ouyang Jin was only fifteen or sixteen, his mother would normally be in her mid-thirties, yet she looked like she was only twenty-five. Her peach blossom eyes sparkled with laughter, and she even had two small dimples at the corners of her mouth. She was stunningly beautiful; Chen Wenfang was momentarily amazed. Young Master Ouyang, on the other hand, hadn't changed much, still maintaining his carefree and irresponsible demeanor.

"Greetings, Madam; greetings, Young Master Ouyang." Chen Wenfang bowed. Given the local customs, the Ouyang family held official positions, so she was expected to pay her respects; Chen Wenfang understood this. Thankfully, she didn't have to kneel, otherwise she really wouldn't have been able to.

Chen Xuanyu followed suit, clasping his hands in the same way Uncle Liu Hai greeted people, "Hello, Madam, hello, Young Master Ouyang."

"You must be Madam Chen. Your son is so handsome. I haven't thanked you yet because your herbs cured my son's cough." The beautiful lady smiled and said, "Wangcai, bring me the things I prepared."

“Madam, you’re too kind. Young Master already gave us a lot last time.” Chen Wenfang kept staring at her intently.

Madam Ouyang smiled and said, "He should give it, and I should give it too." Then she smiled and said, "Why are you staring at my face?"

Chen Wenfang snapped out of her reverie and said apologetically, "You're so beautiful, I was lost in thought."

Madam Ouyang was amused and covered her mouth with her handkerchief, laughing, "Madam Chen is truly amusing."

Wangcai brought over a tray, and Chen Wenfang looked at the four large, gleaming gold ingots on it. She was a little stunned; there were so many. She said, "Madam, this is too much; I cannot accept it."

“Alright, please accept it. My son has been coughing for over three months. We’ve seen many doctors, and even my father-in-law, who has already resigned from his official post, used his connections to have him seen by the imperial physician in the capital, but it still kept recurring. Your medicine worked after a few doses, and my son hasn’t had a relapse for over a month now, which is great. You can afford it,” said Madam Ouyang.

Chen Wenfang bowed, accepted the silver, and said, "Then thank you, Madam." She placed it on the table beside her, untied her bundle, took out slippers and flavored peanuts, and smiled, "Young Master Ouyang mentioned last time that he likes novel foods. These are flavored peanuts I made myself. Would you like to try some?"

Before Wangcai could make a move, Ouyang Jin stepped forward, took the oil paper package, opened it, and popped a peanut into his mouth, saying, "Peanuts! Hey, these are delicious! Mom, you should try some."

Ouyang Jin handed the paper package to Madam Ouyang. Madam Ouyang looked helplessly at her son, whose eyes were full of eagerness, picked up one with her delicate hand, put it in her mouth and tasted it. Hmm, the taste was indeed good, crispy and delicious, with a perfect balance of sweet and salty, and a slight numbing sensation.

Madam Ouyang smiled and said, "Madam Chen's cooking is really good."

Chen Wenfang then took out a pair of slippers and said, “These are slippers that I modified for my aunt’s friend in the same village. I found them particularly comfortable, so I brought a few pairs for Madam and her family to try on. I hope Madam and Young Master won’t find them too rustic.”

Ouyang Jin popped peanuts into his mouth one by one, looking at the slippers curiously and said, "Isn't this the style of wooden clogs? Why are you calling them slippers? Wangcai, let me try them on."

Chen Wenfang explained, "These shoes are called slippers because they are dragged along."

Wangcai helped Ouyang Jin change his shoes. Ouyang Jin stood up and took a few steps, saying, "Hey, they're actually quite comfortable. Mom, you should try them too."

Madam Ouyang said speechlessly, "How can you change your shoes in public when there are guests present? It's impolite."

Ouyang Jin said with a smirk, "Madam Chen is no ordinary person. She is very gentle and polite, isn't she, Madam Chen?"

Chen Wenfang chuckled and said, "I'm perfectly fine with it."

Ouyang Jin then took out two taels of silver from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Wenfang, saying in an adult's tone, "Here, this is for food. These shoes are also very nice. You're quite good."

Chen Wenfang declined, saying, "No need, young master, Madam has already given you enough. It's too much."

Ouyang Jin laughed and said, "Didn't you hear what my mother said? What she gives is hers, and what I give is mine."

Madam Ouyang also smiled and said, "Madam Chen, please accept it. He did the right thing. It is only right for an official to serve the people."

Chen Wenfang had no choice but to bow and say, "Thank you, Young Master Ouyang, Madam Ouyang."